Leonard Ralph "Ben" Bendixen 1923-2009

BENDIXEN, NEPPL, WHITEFORD, HYER, CHRISTENSEN, REED, SEYLAR, BRIX

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/30/2011 at 22:00:02

Leonard Ralph “Ben” Bendixen, the son of Louis and Lela (Whiteford) Bendixen, was born March 5, 1923, in Estherville, Iowa. A lifelong resident of Estherville, he passed away Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville at the age of 86.

He received his education in the Estherville schools, graduating from Estherville High School.

On May 21, 1945, Leonard was united in marriage to Bernice Neppl at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville. The couple made their home in Estherville to live and raise their family. Leonard was employed with Standard Oil Company. Later he became self-employed as proprietor of Ben’s Service Shop, where he provided honest and competent auto services until he retired in 1990. In later years before his retirement, Leonard also provided vehicle maintenance for the Estherville Community School District. He served the Estherville community as a school bus driver for the school district for 24 years. He served 9 years on the ECHO Board and 15 years on the City of Estherville Parks and Recreation Board. In his leisure time Leonard enjoyed camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He took his 2nd full time job as “Grandpa” very seriously.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, served on the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Board and also was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Left to cherish Leonard’s memory are his wife, Bernice of Estherville; 3 sons, Duane Bendixen and his wife, Merllene of Fair Oaks, California; David Bendixen and his wife, Mary of Urbandale, Iowa; Brian Bendixen of Estherville; 1 daughter, Joann Bendixen of Estherville; 4 grandchildren, Sarah Bendixen of Fair Oaks, California; Amanda Christensen and her husband, KC of Sacramento, California and Stacie and Megan Bendixen of Urbandale; 4 great-grandchildren, J Tomis, Kayla Ann and Ty Danyl Christensen and Shayna Codie Bendixen; 1 sister, Irene Reed of Spirit Lake, IA; 1 brother, Joe Bendixen of Morehead, Kentucky; sister-in-law Darlene Seylar of Estherville; and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Preceding Leonard in death were his parents; his step-father, Ernest Hyer; 2 brothers, Roy and Howard; sister, LaVon Brix; and 2 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law. (MC)